DATE=9/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-238652
TITLE=COLOMBIA AMNESTY UPDATE (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: COLOMBIA IS PROPOSING A BROAD AMNESTY FOR LEFTIST
GUERRILLAS AS PART OF NEGOTIATIONS AIMED AT ENDING THREE DECADES
OF VIOLENCE. SOUTH AMERICA CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK REPORTS THE
GOVERNMENT PLANS A REFERENDUM ON THE QUESTION.
TEXT: INTERIOR MINISTER NESTOR HUMBERTO MARTINEZ SAYS COLOMBIA
CANNOT ACHIEVE PEACE UNLESS THERE IS A TOTAL PARDON FOR THE
REBELS, EVEN FOR THE MOST ATROCIOUS CRIMES. MR. MARTINEZ SAID IN
AN INTERVIEW IN THE NEWSPAPER EL ESPECTADOR SUNDAY THAT THERE
WILL BE A REFERENDUM ON THE AMNESTY PROPOSAL EARLY NEXT YEAR.
PRESIDENT ANDRES PASTRANA CONFIRMED MONDAY THAT AMNESTY IS ONE
ITEM THAT WILL BE ON THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. HE SAID IT IS
PREMATURE TO DISCUSS IT NOW.
REACTION TO THE PROPOSAL IS MIXED. SOME MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL
PEACE COMMISSION AGREE THE AMNESTY IS NECESSARY, BUT OTHERS SAY
IT SHOULD BE OFFERED LATER IN THE PEACE PROCESS. OPPOSITION
LEADER HORACIO SERPA, WHO LOST THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION,
SUPPORTS THE INITIATIVE. THE NATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS SAYS
AMNESTY SHOULD ONLY COME AFTER THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR ATROCITIES
ARE PUNISHED AND VICTIMS ARE COMPENSATED.
COLOMBIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER, RODRIGO LLOREDA, SAYS THE REBELS
HAVE CAPTURED MORE POLICE IN RECENT DAYS AND NOW HOLD 269
MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY FORCES. THE GOVERNMENT HAS ASKED THE
GUERRILLAS FOR A LIST OF POLITICAL PRISONERS THEY PROPOSE TO
EXCHANGE FOR THE CAPTURED TROOPS AND POLICE.
PRESIDENT PASTRANA HAS AGREED TO PULL TROOPS BACK FROM A LARGE
AREA OCCUPIED BY GUERRILLAS IN THE SOUTHERN DEPARTMENTS OF META
AND CAQUETA SO THAT PEACE TALKS CAN BEGIN WITHIN THE NEXT TWO
MONTHS.
THE TWO MAJOR REBEL GROUPS -- THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES AND
THE NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY -- CALL FOR POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND
SOCIAL REFORMS.
/// REST OPTIONAL ///
COLOMBIAN POLICE SAY A LEADER OF THE NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY HAS
BEEN CAPTURED IN SAN CRISTOBAL, VENEZUELA, WITH THE HELP OF
VENEZUELAN AUTHORITIES. HE IS IDENTIFIED AS ANDRES GARCIA
BOTELLO, ALIAS "THE DEVIL". THE SUSPECT HAS BEEN EXTRADITED TO
COLOMBIA TO FACE CHARGES OF KIDNAPPING AND MURDER. (SIGNED)
NEB/GM/WDC/WFR
14-Sep-98 4:57 PM EDT (2057 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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